The word culture may seem to be quite simple, but in actuality it is very convoluted. So what exactly is culture? According to Hofstede, “culture is a mental program” (2001), and can also be defined as a “system of ideas, values, and behavior” (PSU, 2016). It’s very clear to understand that people from the United States will act very similarly to one another, but may act differently than those people living in England, Mexico, China, or Russia. In America, we often shake hands to introduce ourselves to a stranger, or when we are greeting a friendly face. In Europe, people are greeted by kissing one another on the cheek. However, culture can vary within a country, region, state, city, and even a neighborhood. For example, there are vast differences in the culture between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, the two biggest cities in Pennsylvania. Philadelphians choose to eat cheesesteaks and drink “soda”, while people who live in Pittsburgh enjoy sandwiches with French fries in the middle and drink “pop” (Christi, 2015).
Culture may have many different definitions, but the common theme of each definition is that a group of individuals share the same ideas or values, which may differ from another group of individuals (PSU, 2016). When people share a commonality, they tend to feel more comfortable around each other, and usually build relationships with one another. For instance, if two people share the same religious belief, they tend to share the same values and understand each other. They usually have the same interests and enjoy spending time together. As young children, between the ages of zero and seven, we are molded by our parents and caregivers. We learn what is right and wrong, such as sharing our toys with other children, telling the truth, respecting our elders, etc. This is known as the imprint period. Between the ages of eight and thirteen, we begin to explore and adapt to fit in with a certain crowd. We make friends with the people who look, think, feel, and act the same way we do. And finally, between 13 and 21, we tend to be guided by our peers, friends, and colleagues, as opposed to the authority figures we once looked up to so much. During this final phase of formation, the media plays a huge role, as people tend to gravitate towards the people who share the same values as them (PSU, 2016).
While there are many different cultures within the United States, as Americans we share many commonalities, which differ from the cultures in other countries. It is important when learning about other cultures, that we avoid ethnocentrism, which is the “exaggerated tendency to think the characteristics of one’s own group or race is superior to those of other groups or races” (Drever, 1952, p. 86). Unfortunately, America’s greatest weakness is ethnocentrism (Hamod, 2008). As a country, we believe our way is the right way, and we oftentimes force our beliefs onto others when we invade countries to “save the citizens from powerful, evil leaders.” We spend so much money on other countries we fail to take care of our own Veterans, who were the ones fighting to save these countries in the first place (Hamod, 2008).
Understanding culture is extremely important with global leadership because, as a world, we are more global than ever. Technology has opened the door to allow companies to go international, and gives the illusion that the world is not so small after all. A great way to really understand culture is by studying Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture. The original four dimensions included power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism/collectivism, and masculinity/femininity (PSU, 2016). The United States ranks 15th on power distance, 9th on uncertainty avoidance, 40th on individualism, and 28th on masculinity (Moran, 2014). Understanding where other countries rank on these scales, especially those you wish to do business with, will come in handy should you find yourself as a global leader in a different country.
In conclusion, understanding the definition of culture is important in today’s society. There are so many companies that have expanded into other countries, and have satellite offices all around the world. Tom Madine, CEO and president of Worldwide Express, has said “Leadership styles differ, but at the core, good leaders make the people they are leading accomplish more than they otherwise would. The most effective leaders do this not through fear, intimidation or title, but rather by building consensus around a common goal.” (Helmrich, 2016). Without understanding culture, the effectiveness of your leadership role may be called into question, especially if you inadvertently offend an employee, colleague, client, or customer.
References:
Christi. (2015). Eastern and Western Pennsylvania are Vastly Different – And Here’s 10 Pieces of Proof. Only in Your State. Retrieved from http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/pennsylvania/pa-regional-differences/.
Drever, H. E. (1952). A dictionary of psychology. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin.
Hamod, S. (2008). Overcoming Ethnocentrism in America. Retrieved from http://palestinechronicle.com/old/view_article_details.php?id=13491.
Helmrich, B. (2016). 33 Ways to Define Leadership. Business News Daily. Retrieved from http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3647-leadership-definition.html.
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences (9th ed.). Oxford: Routledge.
Penn State University World Campus. (2016). Lesson 2: Introduction to Culture. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1802572/modules/items/21179050.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts as it is always good to observe a different perspective on the matter.
One of the first things to jump out as being a viable cross-reference to a very different location is the juxtaposition between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Similarly, in my own locale of Wyoming, in the east of the state you have the capitol, Cheyenne, and in the west, you have to money center, Jackson. People in Cheyenne are predominantly Republican, work blue collar jobs, and employ the pervasive western ‘twang’ in their speech. In Jackson, people are predominantly Democrats, work in finance or real estate, and take pride in sounding more urbane than the rest of the state. There are always good comparisons to be made in different areas.
I like your use of the Hofstede scale here; again, cross-referencing Wyoming to Pennsylvania, it is highly likely that WY’s masculinity score would be higher, as well as its individualism. That being the case, WY would probably score well below PA in terms of uncertainty/avoidance and power distance, given the difference in demographics to the eastern seaboard (Hofstede, 2001).
My only caveat for you is that I think the ethnocentrism example given by Hamod is a bit too surface level for such a serious indictment to be cast on American culture as a whole. One could argue that due to the lack of ability to take care of the veterans in need, the ethnocentrism argument falls victim to a flaw; if the purported superiority of our way of life were the reason for our foreign engagements, then it would only make sense to take care of our superior American service members, rather than continually pouring money into situations that are more apt to eat the funds than to flourish with them. I would ascribe it less to ethnocentrism and more to geopolitical stability (or the lack thereof). That, however, is a very slippery political slope, and not one to delve into in this context.
Overall, nice post.
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.